Nonrefillable container



Nov. 30, 1937.

M. SIGMAN NONRE FILLABLE CONTA I NER Filed Aug. 6, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l 4 II.- All 4M;

Wwa

Nov. 30, 1937. M. SIGMAN 2,100,983

NONREFILLABLE CONTAINER Filed Aug. 6, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 altar/M Patented Nov. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE My invention relates generally to containers for confining liquid bodies. The invention particularly relates to liquid containers used for packaging and dispensing goods of trade-marked or standardized quality.

The invention has for an object to provide a liquid container having means for preventing a filling thereof subsequent to the removal of the original contents. Another object of the invention is to provide a container having means whereby an attempted filling thereof, subsequent to the removal of the original contents, is indicated, said means thereby serving in a tell-tale capacity.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means preventing refilling thereof which also serves to somewhat restrict the flow of original contents from the container to an easily manipulatable fiow thereby facilitating precise measurement of dispensed quantities as Well as many other advantages. Said means further fulfills another object of the invention in that it tends to prevent the entry of insects attracted by the contents of the container and the entry of dust particles and the like contained in the atmosphere surrounding the container.

The invention has for a particular object to provide a container having elements installable by the packer and removable only upon destruction which tend to prevent refilling of the container and which trap certain quantities or" liquid used in attempted refilling to indicate to the user or prospective purchaser such attempted refilling. Another particular object of the invention is to provide a container having means including a valve element which is adapted to be located in a closed position after the original packaging of the container and is adapted to be moved by the user to an open position. Thus,

the container may be not only sealed by the'cusw tomary closure, but the contents may be sealed from contact with the closure by said valve element. Said valve element is so constructed and related to other elements as to permit only the one operation of the opening, thus serving to indicate a previous tampering with the container, if opened on receipt, and warning the user thereby.

Another particular object of the invention is to provide a container having said elements performing said described functions without interfering with the ordinary dispensing flow of the original contents thereof, except to modulate said dispensing flow to a practical and manipulative degree. A still further particular object of the invention is to provide a container for spirituous liquors and the like having relatively simple but efiicient'means to insure against the likelihood of substitution-of the contents thereof and sale of said substitute in a trademark bearing container to the damage of the original packer and the fraud of the purchasing public. a

The invention consists in other features and advantages which will appear from the following description and upon'examination of the drawings. Structures containing the invention may partake of different forms and still embody the invention. To illustrate a practical application of the invention, I have'sele'cted a non-refillable container and one of its modified forms as examples of the various structures and details thereof thatcontain the invention and shall describe the selected structures hereinafter, it being understood that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The particular structures selected are shown in the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a perspective view of a preferred form of con tainer embodying my invention and described hereinafter for purposes of illustration, in accordance with the statute. Fig. 2 illustrates a view of an enlarged longitudinal section of a part of the container shown in Fig. 1, the elements being shown in a different relative position as hereinafter described. Fig. 3 illustrates a View of a section taken on the plane of the line '33 indicated in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 illustrates a view of a modified form of construction parts being shown in section to "better illustrate said form. Fig. 5 illustrates the structure illustrated in Fig. 4, parts'being shown in section and in different relative position to other parts than as shown in Fig. 4. V V

My invention may be embodied in a container formed of a material, such as glass, and having a'containing body portion 5 which issurmounted by a dispensing throat portion 2. The throat 2 has a lip 3 which communicates through the throat with the interior of the body portion I. Thus, a liquid, such as that illustrated at 5, contained within the body portion I maybe dispensed through the throat and over the lip'3.

Disposed intermediate the lip '3 and the interior of 'the body portion are the elements comprising a means tending to prevent filling the body portion after the original contents, the liquid 5, has been removed. Preferably, the said 7 elements are located in the throat portion and form in conjunction therewith a means for indicating an attempt at refilling of the container with liquid by trapping a quantity thereof in the throat. As illustrated in the drawings, the throat 2 is provided with an annular seat I which may be formed by constricting the throat at a point where it joins the body portion I. Said seat 'I is adapted to receive and support in sealed relation to the inner sides of the throat an insertable stopper or wall element 8. The element 8 is preferably discular in shape formed from a material, such as cork, substantially impervious to liquid and capable of limited contraction and expansion. The element 8, therefore, separates the interior of the body portion I from the throat 2.

The throat is further provided with a second annular seat 9. The seat 9 is preferably recessed in the wall of the throat and is adapted to receive and support in sealed'relation thereto a second insertable stopper or wall element Ii]. The element I0 is likewise preferably of discular shape and formed of cork. By thus locating the element ID with reference to the element 8, a chamber I I is therebetween formed within the throat. The element II] also defines an outer throat I3.

In order to convey the liquid contents 5 within the body portion to the outer throat 3 and to a dispensing point of the lip, a conduit or stem pipe I2 is provided and extends through openings I4 and I5 formed in the elements 8 and Iii respectively. The stem I2 is preferably formed of glass having its ends closed. One end of the stem extends into the interior of the body I and has side openings I6, and the other end extends well into the outer throat I3 and has side openings Il formed in spaced relation to the outer surface of the element It]. Thus, it will be seen that the liquid contents may be conveyed from the interior of the body to the lip 3.

Preferably the openings I4 and I5 are of a diameter to tightly clasp the stem I2 as to prevent, in pouring, the entry of the contents 5 into the chamber II, but large enough to permit an endwise movement of the stem with respect to the elements 8 and lil. Thus, it will be seen, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the stem may be so located during original packaging and before opening by the customer or user, so that the openings iii are located in registration with portions of the element 8 surrounding the opening I5 and may be closed thereby. When it becomes desirable to dispense the contents, the user merely by insertion of some suitable tool, such as a pencil, into the outer throat I3 engages the stem to move the same with respect to the elements 8 and it until the openings I6 are no longer in registration with the element 8 and are located in an uncovered open position within the body of the container, such as is illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Thus, an effective valve is provided which can be operated only by the user and only once by him, namely from a closed to an open position. If desired, a suitable header 20 may be provided at the outermost end of the stem I2 to provide a bearing on which the tool for moving the stern may be placed.

The header 20 may be formed of glass and is preferably of discular shape, having a diameter but slightly less than the inner diameter of the outer throat I3. The header may be connected to the stem I2 in any suitable manner, such as illustrated at 2i. The header not only provides a means for bearing the pressure of application of the applied tool in opening the valve, as

described, but also acts as a barrier to the iiisertion of tools below or on the inner side of the header to tamper with the other elements located in the outer throat. The header also acts in conjunction with the passageway of the stem I2 to modulate the flow of the contents 5 outwardly to one of a degree and depth that enables easy manipulation and measurement of portions and the like. Said fiow is directed by the header 20 along the surface of the outer throat l3 and over the lip in a shallow stream, permitting inflow into the container of quantities of air to occupy the space from which the contents have been displaced.

If desired, the stem may be further provided with means safeguarding the withdrawal thereof from its installed relation to the elements 8 and IG. Said means may be embodied in a shoulder portion 24 which limits the outward movement of the stem I2 with respect to the element Ill retained in the recessed seat 9. The shoulder 24 is so positioned as to engage said element II! when an attempted withdrawal is efiected. The shoulder portion 24 is preferably formed by an enlarged mass or body 25 surrounding the stern I2 and integral therewith. The body 25 may be provided with a second shoulder portion 26 which is adapted to engage the element 8 to limit the inward movement of the stem I2 as shown in Fig. 2, as when uncovering the stem openings I6.

Thus, it will be seen that the original contents 5 may be dispensed from time to time with a well and desirable modulation offlow, the elements 8 and Ill and header 2i] acting to prevent the entrance of insects and dust into the body of the container. It will be further seen that after the said original contents have been withdrawn from the container, a refilling of the same is rendered difiilcult by reason of the inaccessibility of the openings IT in the stem I2 and the baffling effect of the header 20.

In order to indicate an attempted refilling of the container, as by pouring a refilling liquid into the outer throat I3 with the expectant eventuality that said liquid will fiow through the openings I1 and stem I2 to within the container body, an indicating trap is provided. Said trap comprises the chamber II which communicates with the outer throat l3 and lip 3 through a passageway formed in a pipe or stem 30. The stem 31] is preferably formed of glass and extends through the opening 3I formed in the element I0. The outer end 33 of the stem 30 is closed and is provided with side openings 32 in somewhat spaced relation to the outer surface of the element II) but more proximate thereto than the openings ll of the stem I2. The closed end 33 and the spacial relation between the openings 32 and element I0 tend to prevent entrapment of portions of the original contents in the chamber II during repeated dispensing tippings of the container. However, when a refilling of the container is being attempted by pouring the refilling liquid into the outer throat l3, the refilling liquid is sustained in the outer throat I3 by the element Ii] until the surface level of the liquid is raised to a plane common with the portion of the stem 30 having the openings 32. Thereupon, the refilling liquid enters the chamber II immediately indicating the attempted refilling by the presence of liquid in the chamber II. The withdrawal of said trapped portions of the chamber II with or without withdrawal of such liquid portions as may be contained within the body is rendered most difficult by the assemblage of elements, as heretofore described. Should one attempt to pour the'trapped contents from within the chamber II, as by tipping the container, the contents of the body portion 1 would flow'out also. Thus, a refilling or meddling with the container or its original contents would be indicated to a user or purchaser of the goods contained in a container embodying the features of my invention, first, by the position of the valve, whether open or closed, second, the entrapment of portions of liquid within the chamber H, or third, the incomplete and partial quantities contained in view of the capacity of the container.

The assemblage of elements 8 and H] and stems l2 and 30 may be inserted and positioned within the throat by any suitable method as the flexibility of the elements 8 and I0 permits considerable latitude of manipulation during installation. If desired, however, the throat 2 maybe formed of twoconnectable units 36 and 38, the unit 36 being integral with the body portion I and the unit 38 having the lip 3 and being joinable with the unit 36 along a joint line 39. Some suitable bond 40 may be provided along the joint line 39 to maintain the units 36 and 38 in assembled relation. .Thus, the packer of the original contents 5 may place the contents within the container, insert the assemblage of elements 8 and i3 and stems l2 and3il into the throat unit 35 and bond the unit 38 to said unit 36 to thus speedily fill the container and install the assemblage.

The modified form of construction illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings has a liquid containing body portion 55}, a throat portion 5| like unto the body and throat portions I and 2 of the preferred form. The throat portion 5| is interiorly divided by discular wall elements 52 and 53, similarly as do the elements 8 and IU of the preferred structure to form a trapping chamber 54 like the chamber H and an outer throat 55 like the outer throat it. The outer throat 55 communicates with the trapping chamber 54 through a sleeve stem 56 which extends through and is seated in an opening 51 formed in the element 53. The stem 55 has an end opening 58 in the outer throat, the edges of which are provided with side slots or openings 59 for purposes hereinafter described. The interior of the containing body '59 communicates with the outer throat through a passageway formed in a pipe or stem 69. The stem 6!] extends through said stem 56, in concentric relation thereto, and is slidably mounted in an opening 61 formed in the element 52. The inner end of the stem 69 is closed and is provided with side openings 62 communicating with the passageway of the stem. The outer end of the stem Ell is closed and provided with a header 64 having a flared portion 65. The diameter of the flared portion 65 is preferably slightly less than the inner diameter of the throat portion 55. Side openings 65 are formed in the stem proximate to said header 64. The stem 5|] may be further provided with a dish-shaped portion 58 formed preferably integral with said stem and disposed in slightly spaced relation to the open ings 66 and overhanging the end opening 53 of the stem 56. dish-shaped portion is slightly less than the inner diameter of the outer throat 55.

Thus, in use and operation during original packaging of the contents of the liquid containing body 50, the elements 52 and 53 may be installed in said throat portion, the stem 60 located with Preferably, the diameter of the reference to said element 52 so that theopenin'gs Glare closed by portions of said .element 52 surrounding the opening 66 as illustrated in Fig. 4 to thus form a valve relation Withsaid openings and. to prevent escape of the contents into the throat portion during shipment and handling When it is desired to dispense the contents of the body portion, the stem 68 ismoved inwardly with respect to the body 50 by manually pressing against said header 54 to uncover the openings 62' and locate the parts in positions as illustrated in Fig. 5. When the stem 60 has been thus moved,

container is eiTect/ed, as by pouring the refillingv liquid into the outer throat,. portions of the refilling liquid flow from the outer throat through the slot openings 69 and the passageway of the stem 55 into the trapping chamber 54 to entrap said portion and indicate said attempted refilling. Iclaim: J Y 1. A non-refillable container having aliquid containing body portion and an integral throat portion, the throat portion having an opening for dispensing quantities of a liquid contained in the body portion and conducted by the throat portion, a wall element supported in the throat and die viding the throat into an outermost and an innermost portion, a second Wall element support ed in the innermost throat portion in spaced relation to the first named wall element to form a chamber therebetween, a hollow stem having closed ends and a side opening at each end extending through said elements and chamber for conducting liquid from the body portion to theoutermost throat portion, said stem located so that the opening of one end is located in spaced relation to the outermost surface of the first named wall element, a second hollow stem extending through the first named wall element and having an opening located more proximate to the outermost surface of the first named Wall element for conducting liquid introduced in the outermost'throat por-. tion into said chamber to thereby indicate said introduction.

2. A non-refillable container having a liquid containing body portion and an integral throat portion, the throat portion having an opening for dispensing quantities of a liquid contained in the body portion and conducted by the throat portion, a Wall element supported in the throat and dividing the throat into an outermost and innermost portion, a second wall element supported in the throat in spaced relation to the first named wall element to form a chamber therebetween, a mov able hollow stem having closed ends and a side opening at each end extending; through said elements and chamber to locate one end in the outermost throat portion so that said ends associated opening is located in spaced relation to the outermost wall of the first named element, a header supported by said last named end and adapted to restrict entry into said throat portion and to same, the other end of the stem extending into form a means for engaging the stem in moving the said containing body so that its associated side opening communicates with the interior of said containing body for conducting liquid from the body, a second hollow stem extending through the first named wall element and having an opening located more proximate to the outermost surface of the first named wall element for conducting liquid introduced in the outermost throat portion into said chamber to thereby indicate said introduction.

' 3. A non-refillable container having a liquid containing body portion and a throat portion, the throat portion having a dispensing opening, a chamber formed in said throat portion intermediate and separating the interior of the body portion from the dispensing opening, a member having a passageway communicating between said chamber and said dispensing opening, a second member extending through the passageway of said first named member, the chamber and into the interior of the body portion, said second member having a passageway communicating with said interior of the body portion and the opening of the throat portion for conducting the liquid contents of the body portion to the dispensing opening and a dish-shaped element disposed proximate to said dispensing opening for receiving portions of the liquid remaining in the throat portion after the container has been tipped for dispensing of the original liquid contents whereby the trapping of said liquid portions is prevented.

4. A non-refillable container having a liquid containing body portion and a throat portion, the throat portion having a dispensing opening, a chamber formed in said throat portion intermediate and separating the interior of the body portion from the dispensing opening, a member having a passageway communicating between said chamber and'said dispensing opening, a second member extending concentrically through the passageway of. said first named member, the chamber and into the interior'of the body portion, said second member having a passageway communicating with said interior of the body portion and the dispensing opening for conducting the liquid contents of the body portion to a dispensing point, and means including a dishshaped element for catching and retaining portions of the original liquid contents remaining at the dispensing point subsequent to a dispensing operation for preventing the flow of liquid from the passageway of the second member into the passageway of the first member preventing trapping of the original contents in the chamber.

5. A non-refillable container having a liquid containing body portion and a throat portion, a wall located in the throat portion and dividing the throat into upper and lower portions, the upper portion of the throat having a dispensing opening, a second wall located in the throat intermediate the first named wall and the liquid containing body portion, the first and second named walls forming a chamber intermediate and separating the interior of the body portion from the dispensing opening, a tubular member located in the first named wall and communicating between said chamber and said dispensing opening, a hollow stem extending concentrically through the passageway of said tubular member, said chamber, said second named wall and into the interior of the body portion, said hollow stem having closed ends and side openings in each end thereof, the lower end of said stem being movable within said second wall to close the adjacent side openings when in one position and to open said side openings below said second wall when in another position for conducting liquid contents of said body portion to said dispensing opening, and means for preventing the flow of liquid from said hollow stem into said tubular member to thereby prevent trapping of the original contents of said body portion in said chamber MYER SIGMAN. 

